Leak detection was discussed thoroughly during last week’s Fern Valley Water District meeting. Following up on President Robert Krieger’s suggestion during the February meeting, General Manager Steve Erler said he had contacted American Leak Detection about the possibility of surveying the district’s entire pipeline system. A decision was not made during the meeting, but Erler…

At a Wednesday April 24 Mountain Area Safety Taskforce meeting, CAL FIRE Forester Gregg Bratcher said DNA analysis confirmed Goldspotted oak borer infestation of a black oak in Pine Cove. Confirmation of the Pine Cove tree greatly expands the known micro zones of Hill GSOB infestation. Inspections by Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council teams in…

Hemet Unified School District directors adopted a $200 million budget last week that will produce a $16.7-million deficit for fiscal 2014-15, which begins July 1. The current-year budget also has a projected $5.2-million deficit. By fiscal year 2015-16, HUSD believes the two years of losses will be reversed. Next year’s $203.4-million budget is nearly $27.6…